Boğaziçi University was established in 1863 as Robert College, the first American college founded outside the borders of the US. In 1971, it was transformed into Boğaziçi University, an elite Turkish public research university, keeping the liberal arts education tradition and English as the language of instruction. Since then, it has expanded its undergraduate and graduate programs and added new campuses. Currently, Boğaziçi University is one of the most prominent universities in Turkey with outstanding undergraduate and graduate programs in natural and social sciences, humanities, engineering, education, and applied disciplines. It is the most sought after university for students in Turkey and the region, with world-class faculty, top-notch laboratories and facilities, and a breathtaking campus. The total number of students has reached 13,500 with more than 3000 graduate students.

Boğaziçi University has six campuses. Many of the University's buildings are located on its South Campus, the original campus of Robert College, overlooking the Bosphorus and the historical fortress of Rumelihisarı. The North Campus, Hisar Campus, and Uçaksavar Campus are at walking distance from the South Campus. Kandilli Campus, housing the observatory, is situated across the Bosphorus, on a wooded hill. Saritepe Campus on the Black Sea coast, 34 km from the South Campus, has its private beach and it is mainly used for the English Prep School Education.

The following six graduate institutes at Boğaziçi University offer 64 Master’s and 39 Doctoral programs:

Atatürk Institute for Modern Turkish History

Institute of Biomedical Engineering

Institute of Environmental Sciences

Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute

Institute for Graduate Studies in Social Sciences

Institute for Graduate Studies in Sciences and Engineering

RESEARCH CENTERS

Established research centers of the university enable faculty members and graduate students to carry out research on a wide variety of research topics.

Advanced Technologies R&D Center

Archaeological Science Research Center

Asian Studies Research Center

Center for Economic and Econometrics

Center for Innovation and Competition Based Development Studies

Center for Psychological Research and Services

Disaster Management Research Center

Economic Design Research Center

Education Policy Research Center

European Studies Research Center

Information Systems Research Center

Language Research Center

Life Sciences and Technologies Research Center

Mechatronics Research Center

Peace Education Research Center

Polymer Research Center

Social Policy Forum Research Center

Sustainable Development and Clean Production Research Center

Tourism Management Research Center

ACCREDITATION

European University Association (EUA) has evaluated Boğaziçi University’s academic and administrative procedures in 1999.

After Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology’s (ABET) evaluation of the Faculty of Engineering in 1997, 2004 and 2010, all Engineering undergraduate programs at Boğaziçi University have full ABET accreditation.

RESEARCH

Boğaziçi University pursues high impact research with its 32 academic departments, six graduate institutes, and 19 research centers, covering a wide range of disciplines. The university attracts research funding from both national and international research funding organizations as well as from industry. Partnerships with leading academic institutions across the world have strengthened the university’s prominence in research. The university is currently involved in 50 ongoing European projects. Boğaziçi University researchers also take part in various USA based NIH and NSF projects.

According to the Turkish Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology 2013 rankings, Boğaziçi University was ranked first in Scientific and Technological Research Aptitude, based on number of publications, number of citations, externally funded projects, awards, and PhD degrees granted.

The university library houses a collection of over 500,000 books. The Rare Books Collection contains more than 10,000 books and printed material dating from the 16th to the 20th century. The Near-Eastern Collection houses historical, cultural, linguistic and literary works that focus particularly on Turkey and neighboring countries as well as the Ottoman Empire. Another unique collection is that of the US Historical Archives consisting of 2500 rare books and other documents that date back to the 18th century. The Library provides access to 25,000 electronic journals and 50,000 e-books and newspapers, as well as various research databases.

INTERNATIONALIZATION

Boğaziçi University is a member of several international university networks that share the same goal of enhancing academic cooperation among its members.

IAU - International Association of Universities

Magna Charta Universitatum

EUA - European University Association

unimed - Mediterranean Universities Union

The Utrecht Network:

Boğaziçi University values diversity among its students and faculty. Approximately 7% of the student body and 15% of faculty are international and these ratios are increasing.

Boğaziçi University maintains an active portfolio of high caliber academic partners from 34 countries. The university receives approximately 600 incoming exchange students and sends about 500 students for exchange programs every year. Please consult the full list of academic partners.

CAMPUS LIFE

Boğaziçi University takes pride in its lively and colorful campus life. To complement and enrich the academic experience with an active campus life, the university supports student clubs, arts and sports activities, and provides a variety of services from health care to counseling for students and staff. Campus life aims to cultivate a liberal, democratic and happy Boğaziçi community.

The University residence halls can accommodate approximately 3500 students, offering co-ed housing options where one can choose between 2, 3, or 4-bedroom suites.

Student life within the University is rich and varied with activities that cater to almost all talents and interests. The University traditionally places great emphasis on and strongly encourages participation in extra-curricular activities. Currently there are more than 40 different Student Clubs. The University also provides a comprehensive sports program and excellent facilities that are available to students, staff, and alumni. For more information, please visit the university web site on campus life.

Supported by a long tradition of academic excellence, Boğaziçi University today prides itself on being the most preferred choice for Turkish students taking the nation-wide university entrance examinations.